So I admit it, when I travel I always over pack and when we go on an overland adventure, I’ve been accused of being “over prepared”. To be honest, I’m not sure what that means because you don’t “need” anything until you find yourself in a place where you need it. This being said, on my way home from “Snoverland Expo” this year, I definitely needed my RotopaX fuel containers and every drop of gas in them.
I had decided to take a different way home and head west along the I-40 , turning south along Hwy-95 and eventually joining the I-10 close to Joshua Tree National Park. The map showed a straightforward route with some cool overland trails in the middle of nowhere (Snaggletooth range) to explore. I was alone in my Taco, towing my Sierra4x4 trailer and had plenty of time, provisions, gear, and fuel. I was getting a measly 14 mpg, but knew that there was one gas station along theHwy-95 that would carry me through the journey.
Snaggletooth range area
After hours on the road and many miles behind me, I drew into the station at Vidal Junction with an empty tank and was approached by the attendant who gave me the “tanks are dry” speech. I asked when he expected a tanker, and got a shrug of his shoulders. Well, not to worry as I was “over prepared” with a 1.75 gallon RotopaX tank on the back and two 4 gallon RotopaX tanks on the roof. So, technically speaking, I had approximately 140 miles of extra gas to put in my tank. In actuality, I needed every drop of it and later nervously limped into the Desert center gas station on the I-10 again with a dry tank. It was a wake up call, as this was the first time in 3 years I had used the extra gas I always carry and never really expected to have to use it on a highway.
So what has been my experience with the “overland cool” RotopaX gas containers I have been carrying around? I have had a slight leakage with one of the 4 gallon containers I carry on my roof. In all fairness to RotopaX, this is entirely my fault as I failed to release the pressure in the cans caused by altitude and temperature changes. A point they make clear on their site. Secondly, when I actually came to use the eco spout in an emergency situation it took me 15 minutes to work out how to make it function. Again, simple user error as there is a well presented video on the RotopaX site clearly showing how they function.
My take away is that yes, I am very “prepared” with gear, but I learnt that sometimes I can be “under prepared” in the knowledge on how to use the technical gear I have purchased. And yes, even spare gas containers should obviously be considered a technical item.
In conclusion, RotopaX make a great product and one that I can thoroughly recommend and am glad I have purchased. They are well made and have been in all weather conditions on my rig for over a year and show no signs of wear. The rotational connecting system is unique and easy to use and I like the ability to be able to not only stack, but also lock cans onto the rig……..and oh yes, they look really cool too.
For more information on RotopaX gear check out www.rotopaX.com
Off – road trailers are certainly an emotive subject, some people swear by them, others…well, they swear at them. TAP took possession of a brand new, off-road ready Turtleback Trailer in April 2014 and spent the next 12 months towing it several thousand miles around California. We went from crazy busy Californian freeways to switchback mountain roads and decidedly “interesting” overland trails in the desert, where trailers didn’t seem like they belonged. For about 50 nights we camped using the Turtleback, all in primitive locations. We probably put several years of use on it in this one year period. TAP also owns and has extensively used an off-road capable Sierra4x4 trailer (The company is no longer in business.) since 2010. It has been very interesting to compare the bare bones box-on-wheels Sierra4x4, to the fully loaded “glamping machine”: The Turtleback Trailer.
The off-road trailer unit we ordered was fully loaded with the following options:
-7 Way Flat Trailer Plug Wired to: Running, Brake, Turn Charge Line & Trailer Brakes
- Interior Lighting in Cargo Area and Kitchen
-42 Gallon Fresh Water Tank Food Grade, BPA Free Construction
-Flowjet 12v Demand Water Pump
-Atwood 6 Gallon DSI Water Heater
-Exterior Shower
-Baltic Birch Pantry Drawer in Kitchen Area
-Baltic Birch Slide Out Kitchen with 2 Drawers
-2 Burner Wedgewood Stainless Steel Stove with Stainless Cover by Atwood
-Stainless Steel Sink with Hot & Cold Faucet
-48″x32″ Nose Box, 45″ Side Box, 25″ Side Box
-Upgrade to UCF Torsion Axle
-Spare Axle Trailing Arm for Flexride 3500# torsion axle
-TBT Tailgate with Spare Tire mount and drop down table.
-31-10.50-15 Tire and Wheel
-Electrical System addition to STD box Turtleback Trailer. Includes Blue Sea Battery Disconnect, Blue Sea 6 Circuit Fuse Block, 6 Amp Marine Battery Charger (Shore Power), 10 Amp Solar controller.
-Black Accent Group – Water Heater Door, Water Fill, Outdoor Shower
-Valterra Stabilizer Jack
Turtleback trailer kitchen view: courtesy of Adventure Driven
When we picked it up in Phoenix from Dave at Turtleback Trailers, I was impressed with his attention to detail and the overall finish of the trailer. There is no question that Dave cares about what he makes and runs a professional organization. Small domestic businesses thrive and survive based on their product and their customer service. Buying a product like this can be stressful due to the monies involved. Let’s be honest too, many times, not all couples are 100% on board with the decision to buy. Dave personally manages each trailer pick up with the customer, which is essential. Our advice is to ask a lot of questions and remember to listen, it will save time working it out later.
The trailer was definitely bigger than our Sierra4x4. (Dry weight differences are 750lbs compared to approx. 1200lbs). This being said, it never felt too big for either our Tacoma doublecab TRD or Jeep Unlimited Rubicon, either on or off road. When fully loaded and weighing approximately 2000 lbs, it did cause some laboring on road hill climbs, when being towed by our Jeep. I blame this on the under- powered Jeep engine, rather than the trailer, as this isn’t something the Tacoma ever suffered from. After several thousand miles of towing, I can honestly say that the Turtleback trailer tracks with the tow vehicle beautifully. On long journeys the majority of the time you settle in and forget it’s behind you. Actually, be careful of this, as it’s easy to cut people off when changing lanes!
Turtleback trailer side view- The Adventure Portal
So let’s take a look at and assess what we had bought. (I’m not going to go into a lot of technical information here as you can find everything you need spelled out in detail on their website www.turtlebacktrailers.com). The basic Turtleback comes nicely appointed, but if you’re like me, there are also many options that you simply “need” to complete the experience. “Need” is obviously a relative term and looking back here’s some things I learned.
-The 42 gallon water tank comes standard. We went on many multi night trips where we were primitive camping with 3 of us and a dog. Better to have too much than too little but we never used 42 gallons of water and always ended up draining it on our journey home. Of course you never want to run out of water when in the backcountry, but this amount of water weighs a lot, so experiment with how much you really need to carry.
-The tailgate with spare tire and stainless drop down table. This to me is an essential upgrade as I wouldn’t trail anywhere without a spare tire. The stainless drop down table was always used and super useful when cooking and preparing food. It packs away easily and out of the way.
-We had the UCF flexride axel upgrade. I obviously can’t compare it to the standard axel, but it definitely created a stable platform off and on road.
-I really thought we’d use the rear awning, especially since we spend so much time in the desert. In actuality we didn’t and it became just an extra piece of gear to mess with. I do however see many trailers with them erected, so maybe that’s just us?
-The exterior shower and Atwood on demand 50k water heater seemed like such a great idea. It worked great, but we didn’t use it very much at all. I have short hair so I used it to wash off, but I could have done this with a bucket of water. My ladies both have long hair and didn’t want to hassle with washing their hair or showering when camping primitively. If we had been in a camp-site, they would have simply used the showers.
-If you going off road with your trailer, definitely up-grade to the Multi-Coupler. It gives you articulation security when towing off road and 100% safety that the trailer won’t jump off a ball hitch. Believe me, this can happen and did to us with a $600 repair bill on the trailer. Luckily we were only doing 5 miles an hour and I hesitate to think of the consequences of this happening a higher speeds!
-Battery Electrical upgrade: One battery proved completely sufficient for our needs and we never had issues with a low battery charge. To be fair, we tend to move campsites along our travels so are constantly charging while trailing. If you intend to create a static basecamp, then maybe a second battery is required or a solar system to power up. If opting for the solar option, make sure you use roll up or fold up systems for ease of storage and use.
-If you’re going to tow a trailer then a roof rack and RTT (Rood top tent) is an obvious choice. There are many on the market and Dave can sell you one as part of the package. We’ve been using RTT’s for almost a decade and will never ground camp again!
-Nose and side boxes. The nose box was useful for battery and electrical system storage. We also opted for the side boxes and in reality, we never really “needed” them for extra space as the combination of the kitchen slide outs and the large storage area at the front of the trailer proved sufficient. They do finish the aesthetics though and make the trailer look killer.
-Tire and wheel size is debatable. The standard setup comes with AT 265×70-R16. For most trails that people will tow on, this is absolutely fine. If you truly intend to trail across moderate to difficult terrain then I suggest you go up in size. We did touch down on the odd occasion when on questionable trailer suitable terrain and a bigger tire set up would have avoided this. Also, when possible, try and match the size and make of tires/wheels to your tow rig, as this gives security of having matching spares. Finally, bigger tires simply make the trailer look great!
-The kitchen was fantastic. The Baltic birch drawers all functioned perfectly and now even come with dove-tailed corners. I really liked the stove flame cut-off when you pulled out the top drawer above the stove. Occasionally annoying when you were wondering why the kettle wasn’t boiling, but a great idea. The water heater worked well too and it was nice to have hot water to do the dishes even if we didn’t use the shower option. One slight gripe was that the grey water drainage pipe was positioned too close to where you were standing while cooking. An easy fix though.
-No fridge. A lot of other trailers come with space for a fridge and a slide out. The Turtleback doesn’t. Dave’s point is that most people use or want a fridge or cooler in their rig when out on the trails. That’s true for us and we used an Engel 45l in the Tacoma and an Engel cooler in the front compartment of the trailer when on multi day trips. I do feel however that a proportion of buyers would still wish there was a fridge option around or close to the kitchen area.
The Adventure Portal with Turtleback along Cerro Gordo road east.
So, after 12 months of significant use, the Turtleback trailer performed extremely well and stood up admirably to any conditions we threw at it. Everything worked perfectly and it is still in great shape and looks it. Dave has also made some upgrades to his next generation trailers and they are even more dialed today. TAP has no hesitation in recommending this product and it will give you many years of fantastic glamping experiences.
Finally, there are obviously many trailer options out there. Is it a simple box on wheels to carry gear or is it something that gives you some of the comforts of home in true glamping style. Everything has its place and prices can range from affordable to “I’ll need a loan for that”.
* In the spirit of full disclosure, since we always take two rigs, we ended up not needing two trailers. We decided that for our use, a simple rugged box on wheels was most appropriate. We sold our Turtleback to the Managing Editor of Toyota Cruisers and Trucks (TCT) Magazine and it is now being towed around the SW behind a very nicely built FJ Cruiser. Turtlebacks can also be seen behind some very experienced drivers and rigs, like Adventure Driven who guide tours in the North Rim area of the Grand Canyon. Another fantastic testament to the quality and build of this rugged glamping machine!
“Took a couple of days to drive up to Tahoe and I shot some DSLR time lapse along the way. This was the first winter storm of the season, just in time for fall colors. From Bishop to Mono Lake, the Sierras were in all their glory.”- Bill Freeman
I got my Rubicon in December 2013 after my beloved 1999 Toyota 4runner died (RIP Ethel). My experience with off-roading until then had been as a passenger in my husband’s Tacoma. I loved getting away from it all and exploring off-road trails that took us to amazingly beautiful places. As the trail got more advanced however, my enjoyment as a passenger began to decline. It was still beautiful, away from the crowds, exciting because the trails were more difficult….but….BUMPY! Passenger’s side…”I’m not doing anything but getting knocked around here!!” ….Boring… I wanted to drive. I really, really wanted to drive. So, when Ethel died, I got Rubi. We put a two inch lift on her, soon to be swapped out for a four inch lift, skid plates, a winch and a fuel caddy for long journeys to desolate locations. [The full build is listed on Rig of the Month TAP 2-Jeep Wrangler]
Rubi up the Calcite Mine Trail
So, I had this amazing, fully capable, off-roading vehicle that I loved enough to name Rubi. I had the desire to do some challenging off-roading with my partner in adventure, Andy. I was also well aware of how much money this rig cost and how the last thing I wanted to do was damage it, my passengers…or me. I’ve seen jeeps rolling and bouncing down trails on YouTube. No thank you. I decided to take a class that would teach me how to maneuver my vehicle safely on the challenging terrain. I ended up taking three different classes: one for beginner 4WD driving techniques at Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation area put on by Tom Severin of Badlands Off Road Adventures , one for sand dune/desert driving again put on by Tom at Badlands and one with Chris Wood and Kent Klein from AEV at the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. I was the only woman attending each of the trainings as the primary vehicle driver. Everyone had a blast at each venue and they welcomed me like one of the “boys”. I came out of each class with an increased sense of competence and security in my ability to do what I wanted to do…drive over challenging terrain safely and have a BLAST with my husband. CB radios on and we are a TACO-RUBI kick ass team!
[A TAP note: Reader, if you think that taking off-roading classes geared toward safety for yourself, your passengers, your car and the environment is wimpy, then stop reading. I grew up at the beach and practically lived in some of southern California’s roughest/best surf breaks. I didn’t body surf, I whomped. I was/am a very strong swimmer with a great respect for the power of the ocean to give me adrenaline packed fun or break my neck. Respect for nature and safety first-is the credo I apply to off-roading and urge you to as well.]
Oh yes, one last thing…..a word to the ladies….come on out and PLAY!!! If you like roller-coasters, if you like adrenaline, adventure and good fun with your spouse/boyfriend/partner in off-roading DO IT. There are day classes out there that will teach you how to drive smart and safe. Gentlemen, give your lady some time behind the wheel. She may end up sharing your passion for overlanding and she may end up giving you a thumbs up for a 4 inch lift, new skid plates, snorkel and all the other gear you “need”!
Six guys, four rigs, three days in the Ozarks. This was our third trip as a group, but our first time to the Ozark National Forest and our first multi-day overlanding trip. We spent a couple months prior to the trip planning our route, gathering and testing equipment, and modifying our rigs in hopes of making the trip go as smooth as possible. Luckily our planning and preparation paid off and we successfully executed a trip to remember.
Music “Back To You” by Twin Forks “Moving Mountain” by The Brevet
Featured rig – This FJ Cruiser belongs to fellow adventurer Dennis Lloyd, Managing Editor of TCT (Toyota Cruisers and Trucks) magazine. He hails from Irvine and drives a highly modified 2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser. Check out his rig build below.
Icon Stage one suspension
Suspension: • Icon Stage 1 suspension lift • Icon tubular uniball upper control arms • Icon aluminum billet rear upper and lower controls arms • Icon rear panhard bar • OME rear medium springs • Dirty Parts front sway bar links
Mojave trail, Mojave National Preserve, CA
Armor: • Trail Gear Rock Sliders • Ricochet aluminum engine skid and bash plate • Ricochet aluminum lower control arm skids • Rokmen rear lower controller skids • FJToyman rear shock skids
Recovery Gear: • Superwinch Talon, 9500 lb with synthetic rope • ARB recovery strap • ARB tree protector strap • Power Tank CO2 • ARB Tire deflator • HiLift trail jack • HiLift base sand plate • HiLift wheel adapter • HiLift slider adaptor • Fiskar shovel and axe • Smittybuilt shackles
Drivetrain and engine: • Standard Toyota 4×4 drivetrain and gear ratio • 260 HP 4.0 liter V-6, 5 Speed automatic w/OD • Rear diff locker • Traction Control
Dual Battery System
Overlanding gear: • IBS DBS Dual Battery System with Die Hard Platinum (AUX) and Odyssey 34-1500T (Main) batteries • Dometic/Waeco 50L Fridge • Rear cargo drawer and fridge slide (homemade) • Midland 75-822 40 Channel CB Radio • Yaesu FTM-400DR dual band mobile ham radio • BajaRack Low Profile roof rack • Scepter 20L gas and water cans • iPad 2 with DUAL GPS Module and MotionX HD app • Trasharoo
Lighting:
• sPOD Switch Controller with bluetooth • Baja Designs 40” Stealth light bar (roof rack) • Baja Designs Squadron Pro XL wide cornering lights (front bumper) • Baja Design SII rear roof lights (roof rack) • Acro LED driving lights (front bumper) • Acro LED reverse lights (rear bumper)
For more overland and off-road ready rigs, CHECK HERE
